Making Guwahati fully vaccinated

Assam Health Department has set August 31 as the deadline for vaccinating all eligible 18-plus persons in Kamrup (Metro) district against Coronavirus. This is a very bold step. Securing 100 per cent vaccination in the capital district will go a long way in improving the overall vaccination status of Assam. According to Health Minister Keshab Mahanta, the average number of daily Covid-19 positive cases in the Kamrup (M) district has been 150 in the past 10 days, which is a matter of concern. Kamrup (M) not only has the highest population density in Assam but also has a large floating population. Being the main entry-exit point for the entire Northeast, Guwahati thus also has the potential of spreading the virus to every corner of the region. That is why vaccination in the Kamrup (M) district has to be made 100 per cent at any cost. Booth-level officials have already fanned out in the city to identify people who have yet to be fully vaccinated, so that they can get the vaccination within August 31. The task however is not as easy as has been perceived. While the government has made it mandatory for shopkeepers to display their vaccination status and asked them to ensure that they only cater to those customers who have taken both doses of the vaccine, the biggest challenge lies in ensuring that a large number of vendors is also given both doses. For that, the government has to ensure or enforce certain things: one is to make it mandatory for the vendors – those who sell fish, vegetables, other eatables, those who collect used newspapers, plastics and metals, and also those who collect door-to-door garbage – to display their final vaccination certificate; and the other is to ensure that citizens do not buy things from vendors who don't display their final vaccination certificate. Yet another segment is the public transport drivers – of city buses, taxis, autorickshaws, battery-rickshaws, cycle-rickshaws and the-wallas. The target of achieving 100 per cent vaccination will also remain unfulfilled if other service providers like electricians, plumbers, carpenters and domestic help are left out.